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Yesterday, the South Coast League of Professional Baseball suspended Aiken Foxhounds SS Tim Sweeney and RHP AJ Montano for violation of the league’s drug policy.

“This is unfortunate for Aiken as they will lose two valuable pieces of their team for an extended period of time during the final month of the season,” shared SCL Chief Operating Officer Chris Allen. “Nonetheless, a violation of our drug policy is not something to be taken lightly, and the South Coast League will not condone this type of behavior.”

Under the current policy, a first time violation carries a 10 game suspension without pay. Over the last month, acting SCL Medical Director Rob Desantis has conducted numerous random drug tests in all six markets.

“Both of these tests came back as ‘diluted samples’, which mean that there was a masking agent used to cover up the potential of a positive test for a banned substance,” shared DeSantis. “Per league policy, a diluted sample falls under the category of a failed sample, thus triggering the suspensions.”

The South Coast League is currently the only independent league in the country with a written drug policy. As a league built on professional player development, the SCL will continue to provide the knowledge and resources necessary for their players to make a smooth transition into affiliated baseball.